My Candidates Predictions

It begins this Sunday in Cyprus with Caruana white against nakamura and it should make for good viewing with all the big sites including lichess offering commentary and a live broadcast.. Lichess actually interviewed Caruana in Cyprus ahead of this weekend's clash - Fabiano Caruana: If you're not feeling the pressure your chances are over! | Candidates 2026

He seemed to be focused and relaxed and IMO is the big favorite for the event. This isn't just because of his high rating and being extremely experienced , I think more pertinent is how traditional slowplay chess over the board is his best format. I go into it more in this video The Strongest Player in 2026 Candidates | Expert Analysis

Hikaru nakamura is far more of an all round monster -capable of playing bullet, blitz and slowplay to a exceptionally high level. However this slowplay format with intense computer prep I think slightly hinders him and he will fall short.

8 players are playing and here are my thoughts on how they will end up finishing

8. Bluebaum, Matthias - Has risen to just under 2700 and surprised many people to make it here ahead of players like his countrymen Vincent Keymar. I think his openings and middlegame knowledge will be tested too much here and he could falter.

7. Esipenko, Andrey- Top young talent approaching 2700 fide but not particularly consistent v the elite. he will be an underdog v the top rated players in the field

6. Wei Yi - A great all round player but i don't see him picking up enough wins to challenge higher in this event.

5. Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa- a bit of a wildcard . he is v young and well backed as the only India representative with good coaching and insane ability level.

4. Javokhir Sindarov - A really strong player in every aspect who could well be a good value shot at winning the event.

3. Hikaru Nakamura- Top player but this format does not suit him -he will have to fight v engine prep almost every game and i dont see him gaining any easy wins.

2. Anish Giri - Underated danger for the rest of the field. he had an insanely good 2025 . most importantly he did well in slowplay over the board events and is now over 2750. I can see it all coming together for him this tournament and ensnaring some victims in heavy opening prep.

1. Fabi Caruana -The clear favourite to me. He has shown in his career how well he plays these events and is extremely solid and well prepared. it will take one of the others to go on a run of wins or hikaru to play to his full ability level to deny caruana a shot at playing gukesh .

All the Best and hoping for a fantastic event